Monday, December 31, 2007

Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader; disrupt criminal element network

Monday, December 31, 2007

Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader during operations to disrupt criminal element networks today in the Al-Husayniyah area.

The targeted individual was reportedly the Special Groups recruiter for the Karbala Province. He allegedly helped facilitate the training of numerous criminals in activities including explosively formed penetrators, improvised explosive devices, operational security and computer security training. He is assessed as an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces.

When Coalition forces approached the target area, an unidentified man exited a building and displayed hostile intent. The unidentified man ignored verbal and visual warnings to cease movement. Responding in self defense, ground forces engaged the unidentified man, wounding him. The Coalition forces medical team administered on-site treatment to the individual. Ground forces continued on to the target area and captured the targeted individual without further incident. During the operation, Coalition forces also discovered a large amount of American currency.

“Coalition and Iraqi security forces are disrupting and dismantling the networks that threaten the ability to provide safety and security for the Iraqi people,” said Navy Capt. Vic Beck, MNF-I spokesperson. “The actions by criminal elements that continue to dishonor the ceasefire pledge of al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr will not be tolerated.”

From press release #A071231a by MNF-I - Press Desk, Baghdad, Iraq

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